[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50492-50493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25028]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-61-AD; Amendment 39-10777; AD 98-20-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes, that requires relocation of the engine/master 1 relay from
relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the avionics bay. This amendment is
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent a simultaneous cutoff of the fuel
supply to both engines, which could result in a loss of engine power
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective October 27, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 27, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May
12, 1998 (63 FR 26107). That action proposed to require relocation of
the engine/master 1 relay from relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the
avionics bay.
Comments Received
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Three commenters support the proposed rule.
Requests to Reference Latest Airbus Service Bulletin
Two commenters request that paragraph (a) of the proposed AD be
revised to reference Revision 02 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-
1092, dated March 9, 1998. However, one of these commenters requests
that the FAA cite only Revision 02 as the appropriate source of service
information for accomplishment of the proposed relocation, rather than
citing the original version or Revision 01 of the service bulletin as
proposed in the NPRM. This commenter states that the relocation cannot
be accomplished in accordance with the original version or Revision 01
of the referenced service bulletin, but provides no additional
information regarding errors in these revisions.
The FAA concurs with the commenters' request to reference Revision
02 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-23-1092, dated March 9, 1998, in the
final rule as an additional source of service information for
accomplishment of the relocation. However, the FAA does not concur with
the one commenter's request to cite only Revision 02 of the subject
service bulletin. The FAA points out that Revision 02 of the service
bulletin states that no further work is necessary on airplanes modified
in accordance with the original version or Revision 01 of the service
bulletin. In addition, the FAA has reviewed Revision 02 of the subject
service bulletin and finds that the relocation procedures are identical
to those described in the original version and Revision 01 of the
subject service bulletin. The only relevant
[[Page 50493]]
change is to the work hour estimate, which has been increased from 16
work hours to 61 work hours per airplane. Therefore, the FAA has
revised paragraph (a) and the cost impact information of the final rule
accordingly.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 120 Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 61 work hours per airplane to accomplish the
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts will cost approximately $209 or $961 per airplane,
depending on the service kit purchased. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be as low as
$3,869 per airplane, or as high as $4,621 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-20-10 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10777. Docket 98-NM-61-AD.
Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; on
which Airbus Modification 26065 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-24-1092, Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997) has not been
accomplished; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent a simultaneous cutoff of the fuel supply to both
engines, which could result in a loss of engine power and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
relocate the engine/master 1 relay (11QG) from relay box 103VU to
shelf 95VU in the avionics bay, in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-24-1092, dated March 26, 1997; Revision 01, dated
December 24, 1997; or Revision 02, dated March 9, 1998.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The relocation shall be done in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, dated March 26, 1997; Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997; or
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 02, dated March 9,
1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-360-111(B), dated November 19, 1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-25028 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
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